Fabian Ruiz has amassed nine shots in three Nations League games so far, averaging 3.0 shots per game – only bettered by Lamine Yamal. The PSG midfielder has a tendency to drift into promising shooting positions, in and around the opposition box, with six of his nine shots coming from inside the penalty area.

Ruiz is a key component in the Luis de la Fuente system, and played the full 90 most recently against Denmark. In the prior game, against Switzerland, Ruiz scored a brace to help the Spaniards win 4-1, despite being down to ten men early on. Since the Euros, Fabian Ruiz has an average of 2.96 shots per 90, which is amongst the highest in the Spain squad.

Spain’s intense counter-pressing style demands Martin Zubimendi to be extremely aggressive in his duels, as he often finds himself quite isolated in a holding midfield role. Without Rodri, Zubimendi is expected to shoulder a much larger role for Spain in the heart of midfield. He played the full 90 most recently against Denmark.

Given that he also scored the winning goal, another extended minutes run is in order. When starting for Spain, Zubimendi has made at least two fouls in all five starts. Most recently against Denmark, he accounted for two fouls out of just nine Spanish infringements in total.

Similarly, he played against Serbia in the reverse fixture and made exactly two fouls. He will now have to deal with Aleksandar Mitrovic, which promises to be a tough matchup.

Despite Mitrovic returning to action, Serbia manager Dragan Stojkovic will still be without some key players who featured at the Euros. Dusan Vlahovic, Dusan Tadic, Filip Kostic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic still remain unavailable, for various reasons.

Serbia finished bottom of Group C at the Euros, after picking up just two points from their three games. They lost to England, before drawing to both Slovenia and Denmark. In total, they scored one goal, creating an average of just 0.76 xG per game.

Spain come into this match in strong form following their success at the European Championship, and have begun their Nations League title defence well. They will be looking to build on their two recent victories to extend their lead at the summit of the group.

Mitrovic drew six fouls at Euro 2024, which was more than any other Serbia player. On his return to the national side most recently, he drew one foul against Switzerland, despite featuring for just 73 minutes.

Since the 2022 World Cup, Mitrovic has been fouled at least once in ten out of 13 games, drawing an average of 2.05 fouls per 90.

Mitrovic will be used as an outlet for Serbia in this game, looking to use his physicality to drag his side up the field. Because of that, he is expected to contest ample duels with the Spanish defence and midfield, which is ideal for drawing free-kicks given how aggressive they press.

Dragan Stojkovic would have been grateful for the return of Mitrovic against Switzerland, as the striker netted his 59th international goal for Serbia.

He has been in notable form domestically, playing  for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, with ten goals in just six appearances. Despite looking strong against Denmark last time out, Spain are without key starting defensive players, namely Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand and Rodri.

Serbia will be looking to capitalise, and fashion chances for the centre forward. Denmark managed just one shot on target against Spain in the previous game, but it was taken by their main striker, Kasper Dolberg. Mitrovic will be the designated penalty taker, and is an ever-present threat in the air and from set-pieces.

Lamine Yamal has drawn the third-most fouls in La Liga this season, averaging 2.98 fouls drawn per 90. His willingness to dribble and pick up the ball in midfield areas makes him a real target for drawing fouls, while opposition defenders are often extremely aggressive with Yamal in their attempts to contain him.

The 17-year-old has been fouled at least twice in nine out of ten games for Barcelona this season in all competitions. He has been equally as efficient at drawing fouls for Spain, with ten fouls drawn in three Nations League games so far. In the reverse fixture against Serbia, Yamal was fouled four times in total.

Given that Spain will be without Nico Williams, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres, Yamal is likely to take on a much larger attacking influence, which should see the ball at his feet more often than usual.

Alvaro Morata was the focal point of the Spanish attack in their previous game against Denmark, and was extremely involved. He committed two fouls, before being substituted after 78 minutes.

Morata sets the tone for the Spanish press – he displays an intense work rate, regularly contesting duels and dropping deeper in attempts to win the ball back.

He also made at least two fouls in five out of six starts at Euro 2024, failing only in the Euro 2024 final against England. He accumulated an average of 2.38 fouls per 90 at the Euros, picking up two yellow cards.

 After missing the first two Nations League games with injury, Morata seems set to start once more against Serbia.

Previously against Spain, Veljko Birmancevic drew three fouls playing as a left wingback, which saw him contest duels with the likes of Lamine Yamal and Dani Carvajal.

 He has drawn eight fouls in just three Nations League games so far – fouled at least twice in all three games so far. For Serbia, Birmancevic is drawing an average of 2.75 fouls per 90. Domestically, for Sparta Prague, Birmancevic has drawn a foul in seven of his last eight appearances, averaging 1.75 fouls drawn per game in that time. He has a tendency to draw contact, and go down quite easily.

Last time against Spain, he saw a large involvement helping to contain Lamine Yamal, which should be the case once more.